Improving our Half-Court Offense

#26
#26
emainvol said:
So, how's that halfcourt o again?
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Floundering somewhere in the middle of the Great War of VN Basketball.

Or better yet, the ref in the 6 Man Chicago Street Fight Tag Match between the Disciples of Negativity and the Lords of Ignorance.
 
#27
#27
kiffinator13 said:
Obviously, the halfcourt offense still leaves a quite a bit to be desired, but here are a few things that I think we should concentrate on to be more efficient.

1) More isolation plays for Chism and Smith: I noticed in the CC game that we isolated Smith on a wing and allowed him to work one-on-one and score and create for others. I also noticed, in the limited time Chism got to play, that we were able to iso him on the block and he was effective. Hopefully there will be more of this.

2) More Screen & Roll With Hopson: I would love to see Pearl get to play a little two man game with Hopson. Hopson struggles creating for himself, but I think he would be more effective with Chism Screen and rolling or Screening and flaring for the three.

3) QUIT RUNNING THE FLEX FOR 25 seconds before we get into the play call--- get the play call in with at least 20 seconds to go, so we're not left heaving a BS shot at the buzzer.

I, like many of you, don't care for the flex, but I think with more isos and pick and rolls with our best players, it could be much more effective. I don't know if we'll see it, but I think it would work much better than some of the crap we are doing now. What do you guys think?
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Good suggestions. It's just unfortunate that your half court wishlist is ironic when considering the flex in full context.

The flex offense, when implemented with the right personnel and ran correctly, fosters advantageous opportunities for some of your suggestions.

As flex motion circulates, screens and switches should allow Chism some kind of size mismatch in the paint. If teams fail to switch, someone else is open momentarily for an open look. Chism's size should bring opportunities to get the ball at some point either from the corner or top of key. If defenses are playing deny, a lob can suffice or quick passes/skips allows either favorable position for Chism or open three point attempts from the opposite wing.

As far as the screen and roll is concerned, Hopson will have to prove to be a consistent three point shooter off the dribble for teams to respect all possibilities the of this play. We found success with this with Lofton because defenders would sometimes hesitate out of respect and stay to help contest the shot. Chism then found easy opportunities to score.

The flex brings Chism outside enough to where this could be used. However, he will not only have to hit this shot enough for defenses to respect the "pick and pop", but also have the basketball IQ to know the right time flare, slip, or roll. Solid screens and a physical seal by Chism can definitely lead to Hopson having opportunities to slash and score or dish back to Chism or others.

If Maze continues to develop a consistently ability to score going to the basket, the flex can give him iso opportunities by starting four low (Prince baseline corner, Chism on the block, Hopson or Smith opposite block, Hopson or Smith opposite corner) and going to a side where the corner and block players clear out to go set a double screen for the opposite block. Maze then gets his iso and Hopson or Smith come off the double screen for a second option.

Most scoring opportunities in the flex offense come from the "flex" cut, allowing the cutter to have open jump shots from the paint or elbows. However, Pearl has always favored his players either getting to basket and hopefully drawing a foul or shooting a three instead of the traditional midrange jumper. Not saying the first two are bad, but our offense highlights opportunities for the latter.

Is the flex predictable? Yes. That's one reason why you don't see very many college programs using it. Yet, if ran with discipline, the mismatches that come from it yield favorable results. Gary Williams won a national championship with it this decade, although he did have a number of future NBA players. Still, I believe we have the talent to make it successful here at UT. The jury is still out on if we have the IQ and discipline to take it to the highest level.
 
#28
#28
emainvol said:
So, how's that halfcourt o again?
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Did you not read that we score 80 per night? Further that we're 5-1 so that makes our glaring weaknesses beyond reproach. I enjoy the ostrich approach. Get on board.
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#29
#29
yes, Pearl's teams usually lead the league in scoring. However, they get a bulk of those points in transistion and turnovers on the press. When the other team dictates the tempo, we struggle (see Depaul game).

Read last year that our scout team won a scrimmage over the starters using Belmont's half court offense. If we could adapt some of those principles (even if only the 2nd team learned it) it would add a new wrinkle and made our offense even more potent. We NEED to be able to score in the half court and not play "Buzz Ball" when it comes down to that,.
 
#30
#30
Unimane said:
I didn't pick any side, I'm just pointing out the stupidity of being one of those who constantly finds faults or complains. Sorry, but it's pathetic to see this board full of whiny people complaining about a 5-1 team in the top 15 and passing it off as "realistic" or thinking it demonstrates some kind of basketball acumen to be negative.

Your "side" lacks the understanding that constantly ragging on something does not equal intelligence or knowledge of a subject.
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Somehow, I don't think suggestions that we run our offense through our best players is a "negative" thread. And what's pathetic are the people on here that can't detach their mouths from BP's ass long enough to look at legitimate concerns with our team and its future success.
 
#31
#31
kiffinator13 said:
Somehow, I don't think suggestions that we run our offense through our best players is a "negative" thread. And what's pathetic are the people on here that can't detach their mouths from BP's ass long enough to look at legitimate concerns with our team and its future success.
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How dare you question the Bruce's white knight.
 
#32
#32
Yep. The fact that we score 80 points a night means we should just put it on cruise control and enjoy the ride. I would just ignore the fact that Hopson was non-existent against some real competition. I'm sure it's nothing. We'll be scoring 80-90 the next few weeks and can be the greatest team in existence.
 
#33
#33
kiffinator13 said:
Somehow, I don't think suggestions that we run our offense through our best players is a "negative" thread. And what's pathetic are the people on here that can't detach their mouths from BP's ass long enough to look at legitimate concerns with our team and its future success.
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Funny how if you have any criticism of the team, you "hate" the coach. I guess it is easier to just state this than actually coming up with answers to the criticisms.
 
#34
#34
alumvol08 said:
Funny how if you have any criticism of the team, you "hate" the coach. I guess it is easier to just state this than actually coming up with answers to the criticisms.
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Exactly. Spouting off inflated ppg stats and dismissing legitimate concerns with our team as just "hating" Pearl just shows how smart you are.
 
#38
#38
BigPapaVol said:
Sweet handle.
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Yeahhh, meaningful too...

Lost my 2nd grade vocabulary bowl on the first word in the name. Had no clue what it meant. I was "big boned" at that age. Regardless, the girl who won first place by defining it correctly turned to me afterward and said "you are indubitably fat". :unsure:

Some words just stick with you forever.
 
#39
#39
Unimane said:
Oh yeah, like Calipari. He gets dominated by him.....wait.

Oh yes, how about Donovan, he's got two NCs and dominates.......oh, nope.
Once again, I'll never understand the zeal of Tennessee fans to character assassinate their most successful coach......unless, of course, hat is now developing multiple personalities.
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Just because BD caught lightning in a bottle does not mean he is a great coach.

Calipari's teams have made it much deeper into the tourney than any of BP's quality coached teams.

Goes back to some of our arguments that BP can win the regular season games by just rolling the ball out, but when it comes to anything of value where he has to do some actual coaching, it is painfully obvious he is in over his head.
 
#40
#40
the half court offense is difficult to watch sometimes...well it is more often than not..i dont have a problem with running the flex my issue is with the players in that offense. we dont have the shooters to run this effectively imo. with out sharp shooters its easier to sag off and not respect the jumpshot. that also allows defenses to drop the double team and get help on the post alot quicker. Bruce needs a top notch pg and a great shooter before we will see our half court o do better
 
#41
#41
Lofton4Three said:
Just because BD caught lightning in a bottle does not mean he is a great coach.

Calipari's teams have made it much deeper into the tourney than any of BP's quality coached teams.

Goes back to some of our arguments that BP can win the regular season games by just rolling the ball out, but when it comes to anything of value where he has to do some actual coaching, it is painfully obvious he is in over his head.
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It does look that way sometimes.

I'm new, so forgive me if this has already been discussed: When considering the examples of BD and Calipari, would the fact that BP never played ball at the college level have any bearing on his coaching potential?

Pure speculation, but it seems to me that actually having in-game experience on the hardwood could translate into better decisions as a coach. This goes from calling basic offensive sets and motions all the way to drawing up an inbounds play down two points with four seconds left.

IMO, for the coach, experience actually being the player translates into a better understanding of certain situations or at least increases confidence in making decisions when the game is on the line.
 
#42
#42
IndubitablyOrange said:
It does look that way sometimes.

I'm new, so forgive me if this has already been discussed: When considering the examples of BD and Calipari, would the fact that BP never played ball at the college level have any bearing on his coaching potential?

Pure speculation, but it seems to me that actually having in-game experience on the hardwood could translate into better decisions as a coach. This goes from calling basic offensive sets and motions all the way to drawing up an inbounds play down two points with four seconds left.

IMO, for the coach, experience actually being the player translates into a better understanding of certain situations or at least increases confidence in making decisions when the game is on the line.
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I don't think anyone can deny that in-game experience does mean a lot.

But it doesn't mean if they did not play they will not be successful.

I don't know who all hasn't played or who has right off hand. But Lawrence Frank didn't and he is very well respected as a coach. Even after the debacle that has been the Nets this year.
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#43
#43
There are tons of folks who coach football and basketball that never played and have been very successful coaches. You can study a game and become proficient without playing it. Although, there is some merit to understanding game situations better from a player standpoint if you played the game.
 
#44
#44
IndubitablyOrange said:
The days of constructive criticism must be over.
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I don't see a whole lot of constructive criticism here. I see a lot of snide comments about "Tanning Bed" and how certain players are a "waste" or how "pathetic" something or another is.

What I do think is over are the days where people can discern between constructive criticism and just plain being negative. And, it's the usual suspects always looking for that sliver of less than perfection.
 
#45
#45
Unimane said:
I don't see a whole lot of constructive criticism here. I see a lot of snide comments about "Tanning Bed" and how certain players are a "waste" or how "pathetic" something or another is.

What I do think is over are the days where people can discern between constructive criticism and just plain being negative. And, it's the usual suspects always looking for that sliver of less than perfection.
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Because we gave consistently seen problems in the halfcourt since long before you came around and still want them fixed? How is that just plain being negative?
 
#46
#46
Constructive criticism is healthy and actually shows how much of a fan you really are. Talking about our weaknesses is not in any way negative. Every team has some weaknesses and we should be discussing how we can improve our offense as the half-court offense is the greatest weakness of this team.
 
#47
#47
BasketvolsFan said:
Constructive criticism is healthy and actually shows how much of a fan you really are. Talking about our weaknesses is not in any way negative. Every team has some weaknesses and we should be discussing how we can improve our offense as the half-court offense is the greatest weakness of this team.
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Screw that man, from now on it's nothing but,

"1 point losses are awesome, even when the other team is missing a key contributor"

"Congrats Vols on that 80+ a game scoring average banner"

and

"Jesus Christ, everyone be proud that we made another NCAA tournament" posts out of me.
 
#48
#48
Unimane said:
I don't see a whole lot of constructive criticism here. I see a lot of snide comments about "Tanning Bed" and how certain players are a "waste" or how "pathetic" something or another is.

What I do think is over are the days where people can discern between constructive criticism and just plain being negative. And, it's the usual suspects always looking for that sliver of less than perfection.
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Agree 100% that comments referring to tanning beds or name calling are useless and unhelpful.

Constructive criticism requires some level of compassion towards the person being criticized, simply because you want to see that person succeed. I think we are all passionate about UT hoops and our coach, but the days of CC are over if every time we suggest a way to improve it gets turned into an attack that insinuates we hate the team or the coach.

In the case of UT and the half court offense, of course there are ways to improve. Flex or not, an offense can always get better. This isn't church league, BP and company are big boys. If someone feels compelled suggest improvement, it should be considered.

Listen to some of Bob Knight's halftime speeches/tirades. That man didn't care what people thought, he just wanted the best out of his team.
 
#49
#49
Unimane said:
I don't see a whole lot of constructive criticism here. I see a lot of snide comments about "Tanning Bed" and how certain players are a "waste" or how "pathetic" something or another is.

What I do think is over are the days where people can discern between constructive criticism and just plain being negative. And, it's the usual suspects always looking for that sliver of less than perfection.
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Yes, this thread is just full of insults to Pearl. I don't see anything constructive like what we could do better offensively...oh wait.
 
#50
#50
kiffinator13 said:
Yes, this thread is just full of insults to Pearl. I don't see anything constructive like what we could do better offensively...oh wait.
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Hey now. As of the time of this post, we are 19 points away from 80.

All is well.
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